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Oh Brother, where art the air conditioners?

Summer has ended and the exceedingly hot and inhospitable temperatures that accompanied it this year in many places in the United States and elsewhere is slowly dissipating.

While climate scientists and activists debates skeptics about the reality of climate change, one undeniable fact remains: the relentless heat has taken a toll on our environment and disproportionately impacted vulnerable groups.

Among those affected are farmworkers, laboring for hours under the scorching sun, harvesting the produce that makes its way to our supermarket shelves. There are also construction workers, racing to build new housing developments to meet consumer demand. Then, there are the homeless individuals struggling to survive each day on the unforgiving streets of our urban centers. And there are countless others who live and work in buildings without adequate air conditioning or ventilation.

One of the most severely impacted groups, however, are prisoners, in the southern part of United States who are forced to live and work in abysmal conditions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Historically, correctional facilities in this region have been characterized by their intense summer heat. Picture chain gangs toiling in the fields under the blazing Mississippi Delta sun, or the sweat boxes used as punishment in Arkansas prisons depicted in the 1980 film Brubaker.

However, the adverse effects of climate change, including extreme heat and humidity, are now reaching even the northern states, impacting jails and prisons in that regions.

So, what are the consequences of living in such extreme heat and humidity?

This past summer, there was a staggering increase in the number of inmates falling ill from heat exhaustion and tragically many of them died. Although we can blame the prolonged hot weather on climate change, it is no secret that correctional facilities in the United States have often lacked air conditioning, or if present, it is typically subpar or non-functional. What’s the effect on prisoners? Among other physical effects, the heat disrupts sleep patterns, leading to irritability due to sleep deprivation, which in turn can escalate into physical violence.

The impact of the heat extends beyond inmates. Correctional workers and some administrators are also grappling with the challenges of working in sweltering facilities.

Why is this the case? Many of the jails and prisons in the south of the United States, no less the country, are very old and have not renovated or retrofitted their institutions with adequate air conditioning systems. Why? These states are comparatively poorer than northern states, and the last thing politicians in these states want to do is to advocate for additional spending on correctional facilities. Past the road projects, and other public works projects the provision of air condition to jails and prisons is seen as a luxury.

Why has this situation persisted? Many of the jails and prisons in the southern United States, and across the nation, remain outdated and have not undergone renovations or retrofits to install adequate air conditioning systems. The root cause? Comparatively limited financial resources in these states, and the reluctance of politicians to advocate for increased spending on correctional facilities. In the hierarchy of public projects, air conditioning for jails and prisons is often perceived as a luxury, secondary to road projects and other public services the states provide.

Unsurprisingly, an increasing number of civil suits connected to these deplorable prison conditions, targeting wardens, state correctional systems, and corrections superintendents have been launched.

Much of the impending legal troubles could be preempted if the affected states reallocated their budgets to address the pressing issue of inadequate air conditioning in correctional facilities. Additionally, the federal government should establish emergency funds and allocate resources to assist struggling jails and prisons in purchasing and installing proper air conditioning systems.

As we move past another scorching summer, it is vital to recognize the dire consequences of extreme heat on vulnerable populations, including inmates and those who work in correctional facilities. By taking concrete actions, such as budget reallocation and federal support, we can alleviate the suffering caused by inadequate air conditioning and move closer to ensuring humane conditions for all. The time for change is now.

Photo: From the movie poster for Oh Brother, where art though?

Looking for quiet in all the wrong places

Neighborhoods like Le Marais in Paris, the French Quarter in New Orleans, and the East Village in New York City are frequently celebrated for their historical significance, cultural diversity, architectural charm, artistic and bohemian vibes, lively street culture, and tourist attractions.

The decision to not simply visit, but to temporarily stay or live in an entertainment district or a bustling tourist hotspot like these may offer advantages such as better or more convenient access to cultural and recreational activities, diverse culinary experiences, nightlife and social scenes, job opportunities connected to these venues, and in some cases more affordable rents.

But this choice also means that both short and long term residents must deal with an array of challenges related to these unique urban public spaces.

For example, residents frequently encounter a tsunami of loud, distracted, and sometimes drunk pedestrians, and smells from restaurants, garbage, sewage gas, etc. Additionally, loud music coming from live performance venues and nightclubs, occasional street musicians, constant vehicular and pedestrian traffic, street noise produced by road and sidewalk repair, delivery vehicles, garbage trucks, etc., can lead to heightened stress levels, disrupted sleep patterns, and even mental health issues.

During the sweltering summer months, the absence of air conditioning (which is often the case in European cities) forces residents to keep their windows open, exacerbating the intrusion of external noise, smells, etc.

To mitigate the negative effects of living in such areas, it’s often helpful to implement a bunch of strategies or coping mechanisms. These can include:

* Soundproofing: Staying in residences, hotels, etc., that have invested in soundproofing materials for windows and doors to minimize the impact of external noise on indoor tranquility.
* Creating Calm Spaces: Designating quiet areas within your home, or the hotel you stay at complete with relaxing elements like plants and soft lighting.
* Using White Noise: Use white noise machines or smartphone apps to create a consistent background sound that masks intermittent disturbances.
* Noise-Canceling Headphones: Utilize noise-canceling headphones or earplugs, especially when you need or want to concentrate or sleep.
* Establishing Quiet Hours: Advocating for designated quiet hours in the neighborhood to allow residents and hotel guests moments of serenity.
* Engaging in Mindfulness Practices: Incorporate mindfulness or meditation techniques to build resilience against surrounding noise.
* Exploring Peaceful Areas: Regularly venture beyond the bustling zones to explore quieter spaces (like parks, parkettes, etc.) that offer a break from the urban hustle, and
* Renting an apartment, AirBnb, etc. facing away from the noise or high enough off the ground so that these sounds are less of a problem.

While these strategies come at a cost, they empower residents to navigate the challenges of these urban public spaces, while preserving their mental well-being. And by adopting these coping mechanisms, individuals can fully embrace the benefits of their neighborhoods and enrich their urban experiences. Despite the ongoing noise, smells, etc. the pursuit of balance and tranquility can lead to a more workable and fulfilling urban city experience.

Photo Credit
Photographer: Kostas Limitsios
Title: Le Marais

Trump, his alleged co-conspirators, and our fascination with Mugshots

Over the past few weeks many people and entities seemed to obsess over the release of former president Donald Trump’s mugshot in connection with his indictment and forthcoming arrest, in connection with charges that the engaged in election fraud, by the Fulton County District Attorney’s (DA) office.

The focus on the highly anticipated mugshot, unleashed a tsunami of mostly creative, largely visual, and sometimes humorous and at other times unflattering photoshopped and manipulated images of the defendants who were about to surrender, those who got booked, and projections of what Trump’s image might or should look like when his mugshot is taken.

It’s not clear exactly why mugshots, photos that capture people at their worst moment, have become important cultural markers in our society. And it’s not just Trump’s mugshot, nor those of his alleged co-conspirators that capture the public’s attention.

We are fascinated by mugshots of all manner of celebrities, including musicians (e.g., Frank Sinatra, David Bowie, etc.), actors/actresses (e.g., Marilyn Monroe, Johnny Depp, etc.), sports stars (Mike Tyson, Denis Rodman, etc.), politicians (e.g., Rod Blagojevich, etc.), and businessmen (e.g., Bernie Madoff, Bill Gates, etc.).

It’s also not certain where the origins of this fascination derives. I suspect that it’s anchored in the schadenfreude phenomenon (basically the pleasure experienced when witnessing someone else’s misfortune). And it’s not everyone’s mugshot that we care about.

We are titillated with watching the rich, the famous, the boisterous, and the obnoxious amongst us get arrested, finger printed, photographed, and if need be convicted.

It’s also because we like to see a person of high stature, particularly one who is not well liked, be taken down a peg or two, a phenomenon often referred to as celebrity downfall.

For some of us, I suspect, the mugshot, and Trump’s in particular, gave us some sort of closure on the long running saga on whether or not he would be indicted, and ultimately arrested by Fani Williams, the Fulton County DA.

In other words, it’s cathartic and reassuring to witness and know that even in America people are at some level held accountable for their actions, and that the criminal justice system, as imperfect as it is, works for everyone and not just for the powerless.

The mugshot, and the activities surrounding this step in the processing of alleged suspects in a criminal case, is also part of the collective voyeurism, that we as Americans freely take part in.

We do this when we follow the highly curated social media feeds of our friends, acquaintances, relatives, and heroes, flip through People magazine, or watch television shows like “Lifestyles of the rich and famous.”

Some of this behavior is because are bored, tired and exhausted with our lives, work, partners, friends, etc. Alternatively see this kind of behavior as a result of our collective diagnosed and undiagnosed Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

We can probably agree that constantly refreshing our social media feeds in the hours leading up to Trump’s booking, or other similar behaviors, is not a productive or creative use of our time. Channeling our energies away from these kinds of voyeuristic activities and towards things that hold more significance, such as creating meaningful content, volunteering at homeless shelters, or even teaching a child to read, have the potential to offer us and others a much more fulfilling use of our resources.

Although numerous strategies exist to prevent us from going down social media and similar rabbit holes, we need to be more introspective and reflective of what we do, how we do it, and why. By considering the role the voyeuristic activities play in our lives, we might consider alternatives that give both ourselves and others joy, happiness, and meaning. Ultimately, by stepping away from the incessant virtual noise, and recognizing our role in this ecosystem, we be able to create space for genuine growth and impactful contributions. The next and harder part is putting our plans for change into action.